The hardest directions are the ones we follow

Take a left, or a right?
                          Go West-toward the ocean.
So, left or right?
                          Where are you now?
I'm in your neck of the woods.
                            I think you have gone too far.
Left or right?
                            Straight-toward the ocean.
I've come around the bend.
                            Drive-thru to the dead end.
Are there any land marks? I am lost...
                            If you keep going, you will find it.




Painting by Michael Zeno Diemer (1867-1939), Pera Museum [Public domain].

A bluebird likely named Emily D.

This afternoon I saw a magpie that was having a bad day.

He landed in the driveway, 

his breast was heaving and his head cocked at me-

Who found herself smiling. 

With a twitch she switches sides, 

she strobes a cocked moment. 

A second later, he shook himself, 

his feathers fluffed and re-stacked,

he unpacked his folded wardrobe, 

whipping out wrinkles

and flew towards the mountains 

-East. 

Warm body, she faced the fading sun.


Painting by Rubens Peale,1865 in [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons.